Align-ju HEALTH MATTERS
Finding strength in survival
The experience has taken a huge toll on me . I still suffer from PTSD , anxiety , grief and depression as a result of the trauma . It can feel extremely isolating at times , as nobody in my life can fully relate to what I have been through . However , the support I have received has been incredible , and I have also had extra support for my mental health and wellbeing from the NHS .
I wanted to share my story to encourage others to seek support if they need help with a disability , a traumatic experience or a mental health problem . I am proof that with the right support you can do anything you set your mind to . Talking – whether it ' s to a professional therapist or a trusted friend – can aid recovery . I have listed some useful mental health resources and sources of support in Table 1 ( page 8 ).
Figure 1 . Sarah ' s injured right eye .
The struggle for normality
My eye injury occurred in the middle of my studies to become an RVN . I was devastated by having to take a break from my learning and by the possibility of not graduating with my classmates . I genuinely questioned whether I would ever be able to nurse animals again , drive again , see again or live my ‘ normal ’ life again .
Thankfully , my determination to become an RVN occupied me through the darkest time in my life . After 3 months away from my work and studies , I eventually returned to a solely admin-based workload , and I sat and passed the exams I had missed . I caught up with my classmates and even managed to sit my OSCEs at the same time as them .
I was ecstatic when I found out that I had passed my OSCEs on my first attempt and had qualified as an RVN despite my vision difficulties . I received my certificate and RVN badge in August 2022 , the same month I marked the first anniversary of my eye injury , which was quite a cathartic moment .
Now , I ' m able to competently complete my daily tasks in the workplace . I sometimes have trouble with depth perception , which means that objects look closer or further away from me than they actually are , so intricate tasks can be challenging at times . Removing delicate sutures and inserting swabs into sterile tubes can sometimes be tricky , for example , but if I look at things from multiple angles , the lighting is good , and I can steady my hand on a flat surface , then I usually manage .
My treatment is still ongoing , and I am due to have a second corneal transplant and cataract surgery in the future in an attempt to restore some of my vision .
I believe that we should allow ourselves to feel and share our emotions , so we can better understand them and work through them more effectively . This can be a surprisingly powerful step towards learning how to manage related coping mechanisms and work out which ones are helpful and which are problematic . Once unhelpful behaviours are identified , you can then work towards healthier ways of dealing with your emotions .
It is important to be mindful that forced positivity , even if well intentioned , can be unhelpful . Expecting someone who has experienced trauma to simply think positive thoughts , for example , dismisses the validity of their negative emotions . It was only when I gave myself permission to feel and to sit with my negative thoughts that I was able to see that my emotional response to the situation was completely valid and I just needed some help working through it all . You don ' t always have to be strong – it ' s completely fine to have days where you don ' t feel at your best and to admit that you need help .
I know how hard it is to find the light at the end of the tunnel when you feel as if everything is crumbling around you . In these moments , it can be helpful to look at the bigger picture and realise that the present moment is a small fragment of your entire life – a life that won ' t always be so hard . Take confidence from the knowledge that you have survived 100 % of your worst days to date , and take each day at a time .
Initially , my traumatic experience impacted my sense of identity and I wanted nothing more than to be back to ‘ normal ’ in terms of my appearance , vision and independence . Gradually , my ability to survive the trauma has become part of my personality . It has forced me to grow as a person and brought out a resilience in me that I never knew I had . I hope my story and the resources I ' ve shared will help and inspire anyone facing a similar challenge . Please be assured that you are not alone ; there is lots of excellent support available to you – in person , online and via email , text and phone .
Volume 38 ( 6 ) • December 2023
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